Table of contents
Highlights
- Leaving the hustle and bustle of JFK for the serene shorelines of the Hamptons is fairly easy, with a wealth of options to get you where you’re going.
- The train stands as one of your best options, with smooth departure and arrival points all along the Long Island Railroad.
- If you’re looking for something twice as nice, you might splurge on an affordable rental car and not be tied to the train schedules.
- There’s also a bus line to take you out of Queens and onto the island with just as much ease.
- Don’t neglect some of the more exciting options, either, like chartering a helicopter, seaplane, or yacht.
Your Travel Guide on How to Get to the Hamptons from JFK
Going all the way back to the late 1800s, the Hamptons has always been a glorious escape for busy New Yorkers hoping to find a little reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city. Even before cars overtook the streets, people sensed a need for a slower pace in the heat of the summer.
Centuries later, the Hamptons still maintains an air of elegance that people from all over the world want to experience. With its Martha’s Vineyard vibes, it’s the perfect addition to any New York City vacation guide.
Whether you want to roll up in a Rolls Royce or hop aboard a train, we have eight great options that will help you answer the question of how to get to the Hamptons from JFK with smooth and easy style.
Train
Outside of driving, the train is your best bet and one of our best travel tips. It’s fast and efficient, and you can plot out your stops based on where you’re staying in the Hamptons. The train line you’ll take is called the Long Island Railroad (LIRR), and they have plenty of options for a comfortable ride.
In JFK, the terminal with train access is Terminal 4. There, you’ll find the Airtrain which takes you to Jamaica Station, the connecting point to the LIRR and the answer to every inquiry about how to get to the Hamptons by train.
Trains run every ten minutes out of Terminal 4, so don’t feel the need to rush with your luggage in tow if you see a train pulling away from the platform the moment you arrive. You’ll probably feel less stressed if you wait ten minutes for another train instead of doing a mad dash.
From Jamaica Station, you’ll be well on your way. There are seven stations to choose from to access the Hamptons. The branch you’ll need is called the Montauk Branch. It’s aptly named because Montauk is nicknamed “The End,” as the last stop on Long Island.
This part depends on where you’re staying. Certainly, your Airbnb host or hotel can tell you which station is closest to your accommodation. They are:
- Westhampton
- Hampton Bays
- Southampton
- Bridgehampton
- East Hampton
- Amagansett
- Montauk (a.k.a. The End)
Depending on your destination, you’re looking at an easy three hour train ride that can cost anywhere from $35 – $70 and easily answer the question of how to get to the Hamptons with the greatest of ease.
Rental Car
There are other options, including the bus, but let’s discuss your next best bet. A lot of New Yorkers don’t drive in their day-to-day lives, but they’re more than happy to rent a car when heading out of the city.
Depending on how far out you’re going, it’s only about an hour and a half drive from JFK to the Hamptons. You can see how this has its benefits above and beyond train or bus transfers.
Rental agencies are well-marked once you’re in the airport, so finding your rental company’s counter won’t be difficult at all. Most are also accessed via the AirTrain, in Terminal 4. But, be sure to check the signage as you go.
You have a plethora of car rental agencies to choose from within JFK. So, feel free to shop around:
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- National
- Payless
- Sixt
- Thrifty
If you’re traveling during the peak summer season, you’ll want to book your rental well in advance, either on the rental agency’s website directly, or a third-party vendor with a nice discount like Booking.com, Priceline.com, or Kayak.com.
In New York, the tolls require E-Zpass so you can sail through without waiting in line to pay cash. Most rental agencies will provide this, but be sure to ask, just in case.
In truth, a comfortable rental car is the easiest answer to how to get from JFK to the Hamptons with a minimum of hassle.
The other reason you might want to have your own car for a few days is that it makes small day trips, excursions, and evening dinners a little bit easier to navigate. Once you savor our guide to the best things to do in the Hamptons, you may agree.
Public Bus
The bus is probably the least glamorous route out of JFK, but it’s both affordable and manageable. Instead of heading to Terminal 4, you’ll head to Terminal 8. You’ll still hop on a quick train to get to the same hub: Jamaica Station.
From there, you’ll need to keep an eye out for the 92 bus line. This line has over 80 stops, so you’re likely to land on your feet, no matter where you’re staying.
The bus is a little bit more difficult to maneuver, takes a little over four hours, but costs about the same as a train ticket, ranging anywhere from $35 – $95.
The Jitney
If you’ve ever watched a movie with a bunch of trendy New Yorkers heading to the Hamptons, you probably heard them mention the Hampton Jitney, or the Jitney, a time or two. It’s travel hacking 101 for anyone looking to escape the city for some sunny shorelines.
The easiest way to climb aboard these buses is to take a taxi from JFK to the Jitney’s Queens Airport Connection stop in Fresh Meadows, Queens.
The stop is located on the corner of 190th Street and the Eastbound Service Road of the Long Island Expressway (L.I.E.). Your taxi driver will probably take the L.I.E. to exit 25 eastbound, follow the service road to 190-02 Horace Harding Blvd., and drop you somewhere near the front of the AMC Loews Fresh Meadows 8.
In terms of transfer times, you can expect to wait about 25 – 30 minutes before sailing off into the sunset. When you’re back home, be sure to rewatch Something Borrowed with Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin to relive all your Hamptons moments.
Limousine
If you don’t want to pay for a rental car for the entirety of your stay, consider hiring a limousine service out of JFK. With this option, you won’t have to battle your way out of the airport in your own car, race down the L.I.E., and hope and pray you make it in one piece.
Prices will vary, depending on how posh you’re feeling, but you can find reasonable fares around the $300 mark. Door to door service like this never disappoints, especially if you don’t like to pack light. The options for this mode of transportation abound, so you’ll certainly find plenty of affordable and classy selections, especially if you book well in advance.
Helicopter or Seaplane
Did you know you can fly to the Hamptons by helicopter or seaplane? That definitely ranks as one of the best travel hacks for anyone looking to summer in New York. You may have to make your way into Manhattan to make this happen. But, if you’re stopping in Manhattan before departing for the island, it may leave you wondering how to get to the Hamptons from NYC.
Of course, this mode of transportation won’t cost quite the same as a bus ticket, but talk about an adventure. You’re looking at an easy $1,150 for this level of VIP service.
Technically, you’ll still end up at another airport – albeit a smaller one – and have the question of transportation at hand again. But, once you’re on the island, you can slip into a limo from East Hampton Airport to your accommodation. It’s food for thought and not a bad way to spend that summer bonus!
Yacht
We’ll close with something even more ostentatious than a helicopter. Chartering a yacht starts in the neighborhood of $3,000 and prices will fluctuate again, based on whether you’d like to hire someone for a one-way trip or operate the yacht yourself.
What a way to arrive in style. This is definitely the time to don that Gucci or Versace maxi dress; while you’re booking your yacht, be sure to consult our style guide for summer in the Hamptons.
Here, you’re looking at a four-and-a-half-hour journey, depending on where you plan to summer in the Hamptons. But, as you drink in the scenery and the champagne, those hours are sure to sail on by.
How to Get to the Hamptons from JFK In Casual Style
We hope this answers all your questions on how to travel from JFK to the Hamptons. Without doubt, a helicopter or a yacht wold elevate your Instagram feed to new levels. But, a casual train ride down the LIRR with a great summer read will get you there in just as much style.
Whether you rock up in a yacht, board a train, or rent an Aston Martin, there’s only one thing left to consider: which beach should you laze away your days? We’ve got you covered there, as well, with our guide to the best beaches in the Hamptons. Happy sails to you — until we meet again!
